Method and means for checking and controlling the operation of textile machines



July-1, 1947. v LAMBACH 2,423,105

METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHECKING AND CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR fiw'rz LAMBACH 1 A TTORNE Y F. LAMBACH 2,423,105 METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHECKING AND CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Fk/Tz L AMBA e14 ATTORNEY 76 1 BY ha EFF a: v a in-u. m fl eg July 1, 1947. F. LAMBACH 2,423,105 METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHECKING AND CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 1'7, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR E71 7'2 LA MBACH Z5Z ATTORNE Y July 1, 1947. F. LAMBACH 2,423,105

' METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHECKING AND'CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF TEXTILE MACHINES Filed Dec. 17, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Fiwrz LAMBACH A TTORNE Y Patented July I, 1947 METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHECKING AND CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF TEX- TILE MACHINES Fritz Lambach, Tenafiy, N. J.

Application December 17, 1943, Serial No. 514,585

35 Claims. 1

knitting machines having one or more warp beams, such as tricot machines, Raschel machines, or the like, depends on the following characteristics (1) The length of warp yarn supplied by the warp beam (or by each warp beam, if the machine is equipped with a plurality of warp beams) to the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft (for example durmg 480 revolutions of the main shaft: 480 knitting movements=1 rack),

(2) The relation between the lengths of warp yarn supplied to the knitting implements by the Warp beams, if the machine has a plurality of warp beams, and

(3) The length of fabric or cloth produced by the knitting implements during said predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft.

It is understood that the expression warp beam used in the specification and claims is intended to cover not only a one-piece Warp beam but also a beam assembly composed of a plurality of sectional warp beams.

Furthermore, it is understood that the exp ssion warp yarn used in the specification and claims is intended to cover the plurality of warp yarns drawn from a warp beam.

It is known in the art of Warp knitting to check the operation of a warp knitting machine for one or more of above mentioned characteristics in accordance with the requirements made for the quality of certain types of fabric.

The customary methods of checking the operation of a Warp knitting machine in that respect by the use of yardsticks and/or other hand instruments, however, are rather cumbersome and inaccurate. Furthermore, the customary checking methods require an interruption of the normal knitting operation of the machine at certain intervals, for example every 3-4 hours, for the performance of the checking operation. On one hand, this fact results in areduction of the output of the machine, and, on the other hand, faulty fabrics may be produced by the warp knitting machine during the intervals between the checking operations, as above mentioned characteristics largely depend on the speed of the main shaft of the machine, the operation of the beam brakes and tension rods controlling the feeding of the warp yarn to the knitting implements, the operation of the fabric take-up device controlling the lengthof fabric produced, the humidity of the air in the room etc., and as all these factors are subject to changes readily occurring during the knitting operation of the machine.

It is an object of my invention to provide a method for checking the operation of a warp knitting machine, which may be readily carried out with great accuracy.

A further object of my invention is to provide a method for checking the operation of a warp knitting machine, which may be performed without any interruption of the knitting operation of the machine.

Still another object of my invention is to pro vide means for the checking of the operation of a warp knitting machine, which enable an operator to take accurate readings without the use of yardsticks and/or other hand instruments.

A further object of my invention is to provide means for the checking of the operation of a warp knitting machine, by means of which measurements indicating the operation of parts arranged at different places in the machine, such as warp beam or warp beams, fabric take-up device, main shaft, may be conveniently read off at asing-le indicating station.

Still another object of my invention is to provide means for the checking of the operation of a warp knitting machine, which render possible an easy observation of the relationship between the lengths of warp yarn consumed,- the length of fabric produced and the number of revolutions of the main shaft at any time during the knitting operation of the machine.

A further object of my invention is to provide automatic means for the control of the operation of a warp knitting machine, by means of which the machine automatically adjusts itself to a selected relationship between the operation of certain parts thereof for. maintaining one or more of above mentioned characteristics during the entire knitting operation, 1. e. the length of warp yarn supplied by one or more warp beams to the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, the relation between the lengths of warp yarn supplied by a plurality of warp beams, and the length of fabric produced during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft.

My invention consists in certain novel features of methods and means for the checking and controlling of the operation of textile machines, for example warp knitting machines, a will be fully described hereinafter.

The above mentioned objects and advantages as well as other objects and advantages will be more fully disclosed in the following specification reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagrammatical side elevational view of a warp knitting machine equipped with four indicating means for checking the operation of the machine by ascertaining the lengths of warp yarn consumed, the length of fabric produced, and the number of revolutions of the main shaft,

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of a different embodiment of an indicating means for ascertaining the length of warp yarn supplied by a warp beam to the knitting implements of the warp knitting machine, a portion of said indicating means being shown in section,

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the indicating means according to Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a different embodiment of an indicating means for ascertaining the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements of the warp knitting machine,

Fi 5 is a side elevational view of the indicating means according to Fig. 4, a portion of a gear being broken away,

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of a different embodiment of an indicating means for ascertaining the number of revolutions performed by the main shaft of the warp knitting machine,

Fig. 7 is a top plan view of the indicating means according to Fig. 6,

Fig. 8 is a more or less diagrammatical showing of an indicating station and its electrical connections with measuring means arranged on a warp knitting machine for the reading off of the measurements indicating the lengths of warp yarn conusmed, the length of fabric produced, and the number of revolutions of the main shaft,

Fig.9 is a sectional view of the indicating station, taken on line 99 of Fig. 8,

Fig. 10 is a detail view of an element pertaining to a'different embodiment of a warp knitting -machine equipped with an automatical control for the operation of the machine, said figure illustrating a controlling switch responsive to the movement of the warp yarn for an automatic electrical control of the adjusting means adjusting the length of warp yarn supplied by a warp beam,

Fig. 11 is a sectional view of the controlling switch, taken on line I l-l l of Fig. 10,

Fig. 12 is a more or less diagrammatical illustration of an electrically controlled adjustable tension rod for an automatic adjustment of the length of warp yarn supplied by a warp beam,

Fig. 13 is a side elevational view of a fabric take-up device with an electrically controlled adjusting device for anautomatic adjustment of the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements of the warp knitting machine, some part being shown in section,

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a tension rod of the warp knitting machine carried by three adjustable spring loaded arms,

Fig. 15 is a. more or less diagrammatical front elevational view of controlling means for a simultaneous adjustment of the three spring loaded arms carrying the tension rod,

Fig. 16 is a sectional view of the control of 4 the arms of the tension rod, taken on line l6l6 of Fig. 15, and

Fig. 17 is a more or less diagrammatical illustration of an electrically controlled adjustable beam brake for an automatic adjustment of the length of warp yarn supplied by a warp beam.

Referring now to Fig. 1 diagrammatically illustrating only those parts of a warp knitting machine, which are necessary for the understanding of my invention, 23 generally indicates a warp knitting machine of any conventional construction with a rotatable main cam shaft 22 driven by a motor (not shown). 24 generally indicates the knitting implements of the machine driven by said main shaft 22 through suitable mechanisms (not shown) in a manner known per se. According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the warp knitting machine is equipped with two warp beams and 28 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings of the frame of the machine. Both warp beams are subject to the action of adjustable beam brakes (not shown), which control the rotation of the warp beams when the warp yarns 3B and 32 are drawn therefrom by the action of the knitting implements 24 during the operation of the machine, so that the beam brakes .have an influence on the lengths of warp yarn supplied by the warp beams 26 and 28 to the knitting implements 24. Furthermore, the lengths of warn yarn consumed by the knitting implements 24 are controlled by adjustable tension rods 38 and 36 held in engagement with the warp yarns 30 and 32 by spring loaded pivoted arms 38 and 40 for causing a centain tension in the warp yarns. The fabric 42 knitted by the knitting implements 24 is taken up by the takeup roller i l after passage over a tension roller 3% and a guide roller 48, all said rollers forming parts of a so-called take-up device. The take-up roller 4.4 is driven by the main shaft 22 through a mechanism (not shown) in a manner known per se. An adjusting device (not shown) is connected with the spring loaded tension roller 46 for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements 24 by an adjustment of the tension in the fabric.

In order to check the operation of a warp knitting machine of above described or similar type, I make the following arrangements on the machine:

(a) An indicating device 58 responsive to the rotation of the main shaft 22 is provided for ascertaining the number of revolutions of the main shaft,

(b) A first indicating means 52 responsive to the movement of the warp yarn 3B drawn from the upper warp beam 26 is provided for ascertaining the length of warp yarn 30 consumed by the knitting implements 24,

(c) A second indicating means 52' responsive to the movement of the warp yarn 32 drawn from the lower warp beam 28 is provided for ascertaining the length of warp yarn 32 consumed by the knitting implements 2 i, and

(d) An indicator 54 responsive to the movement of the fabric A2 is provided for ascertaining the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements 24 The indicating device 58, for example, may comprise a reset counter '58 driven by the main shaft 22 through a worm 60 in mesh with a worm gear 62. The indicating elements of the counter 58 indicate the number of revolutions performed by the main shaft 22.

The first indicating means 52, for example, may comprise a reset counter 64 driven by a measuring roller 66 contacting the surface of the winding of the warp yarn 30 on the upper warp beam 26. The measurin roller 66 is carried by an arm- 68 pivotally mounted on the frame of the warp knitting machine at it. The indicating elements of the counter 64 indicate the measured length of warp yarn 3B drawn by the knitting implements 24 from the upper warp beam 26.

Likewise the second indicating means 52, for example, may comprise a reset counter 64 driven by a measuring roller 66 contacting the surface of the winding of the warp yarn 32 on the lower warp beam 28. The measuring roller 66' is carried by an arm 68' pivotally mounted on the frame of the warp knitting machine at 16'. Th indicating elements of the counter 66 indicate the measured length of warp yarn 32 drawn by the knitting implements 24 from the lower warp beam 28.

The indicator 54, for example, may comprise a reset counter 12 driven by a measuring roller T4 contacting the fabric 42 opposite a supporting roller 16 journalled in a bracket 18 mounted on the frame of the kitting machine 26. The measuring roller 14' is carried by an arm 36 pivotally mounted on said bracket 18 at 82. The indicating elements of the indicator 54 indicate the measured length of fabric 42 produced by the knitting implements 24.

The above described means for checking the operation of a warp knitting machine may be used as follows:

Let us assume, for the purpose of illustration, that, during 480 revolutions of the main shaft, i. e. a unit called 1 rack, 70" of warp yarn 3i! shall be drawn from the upper warp beam 26, 50 of warp yarn 32 shall be drawn from the lower warp beam 28,. and 8 of fabric 42 shall be knitted for a certain quality of fabric. Furthermore, let us assume, that the circumference of each of the measuring rollers 66, 66' and i4 equals to 12", that the revolutions of the measuring rollers 66 and B6 are transmitted to the indicating elements of the counters '64 and 64' of the warp indicating means 5.2 and 52' at the ratio 1:1, that the revolutions of the measuring roller 1-4 are transmitted to the indicating ele" ments of the counter 12 of the fabric indicator 54 at the ratio 1:10, and that the revolutions of the main shaft 22 are transmitted to the indicating elements of the counter 58 of the shaft indicating device 50 at the ratio 1:1. Then, if prior to the start of the machine all counters are set for zero and if the machine operates properly, after 480 revolutions of the main shaft (1 rack), the counter 64 will indicate the value 5.83 (5.83:701125, the counter 64 will indicate the value 4.16 (4.l6=50:12), the counter 12 will indicate the value 6.66 (6.66:8:12XlO), and the counter .58 will indicate the value 480. A table indicating the various values appearing in the windows of the counters 64, 64', 12 and 5B for 1, 2, 3, racks during a proper operation of the machine for a certain quality of fabric is given to the operator. Prior to the start of the machine, the operator sets all reset counters at the value zero. After operating the machine for 1 or several racks, the operator stops the machine and takes readings at the various counters. In connection with the table, the operator may readl ly determine whether or not the proper amount of warp yarn is drawn from each warp beam for a certain number of racks, whether or not therelation between the lengths of warp yarn drawn from the two warp beams is correct, and whether or not the proper length of fabric has been knitted for a certain number of racks. If necessary, after the checking operation the operator makes the necessary adjustments of one or more parts of the machine having an influence on the length of warp yarn consumed and/or length or fabric produced as outlined above, whereupon the checking operation may be repeated.

In the foregoing paragraph it is assumed, that all relationships between length of warp yarn, length of fabric and number of revolutions of the main shaft shall be checked. Under certain circumstances, however, it may be sufficient to check only the length of one or more warp yarns (one warp yarn, if the warp knitting machine has only one warp beam, several warp yarns, if the machine has several warp beams) against the number of revolutions of the main shaft, or to check only the length of fabric against the number of revolutions of the main shaft, or to check only the length of warp yarn drawn from two warp beams relative to each other, or to check only the length of one or more warp yarns relative to the length of fabric. Obviously, each of said limited checking operations may readily be carried out with above described checking means. In such a case only two or three readings, as the case may be, have to be taken instead of the four readings mentioned above. Of course, one or more of above described checking means need not be applied to the machine, if only limited checking operations are to be carried out on the machine for any length of time.

While I have described the readings to be taken for one or more units called racks, of course, the readings may be taken for any predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft; in such a case, of course, the table given to the operator for the checking operations should show the various values appearing in the windows of the counters 6c, 64', 12 and 58 for such predetermined numbers of revolutions, for example 100, 200, 300 revolutions of the main shaft.

Needless to say, that table may be made up for any desired relationship between lengths of warp yarn consumed, length of fabric produced and number of revolutions of the main shaft. Therefore, above described checking means may be used for the checking of the operation of a warp knitting machine producing any kind of fabric.

According to above described method for checking the operation of a knitting machine, the machine is operated for a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, for example for one or more racks, whereupon, after a stoppage of the machine, the readings for the checking of the operation of the machine are taken.

It is desirable, however, to check the operation of a warp knitting machine without stopping same, so that the machine may continuously produce fabric and may be adjusted during the uninterrupted operation. For this purpose, I modify the various checking means as shown in Figs. 2 7, for example.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate the modified embodiment of an indicating means generally indicated by 552 for ascertaining the length of warp yarn drawn from a warp beam 26 or 28, Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate the modified embodiment of an indicator 554 for ascertaining the length of fabric 42 produced by the knitting implements, Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate the modified embodiment of an indicating device 550 for ascertaining the number of revolutions of the main shaft 22. If it is desired to check the operation of the warp knitting machine without stopping same, said indicating means 552, indicator 554 and indicating device 550 are arranged on the warp knitting machine instead of the indicating means 52, 52, indicator 54 and indicating device 50 shown in Fig. 1.

According to Figs. 2 and 3 the measuring roller 556 of the indicating means 552 is secured to a shaft 84 journalled in a bore arranged at one end of the arm 568. This arm 558 has at its other end a recess 86 for engagement with a pivot 70 or I on the frame of the warp knitting machine, a pinion 38 is keyed to the end of the shaft 8d projecting from the bore of the arm 538. Said pinion 88 is in mesh with a change gear 90 exchangeably mounted on a shaft 92 journalled in a member 94. The arm 95 of said member 94 is in slidable and adjustable connection with a projection 98 of the arm 558, so that the distance between the axes of the shafts as and 92 may be adjusted in accordance with the diameter of the change gear 90 selected for a certain purpose to be described hereinafter. A pinion I00 keyed to the free end of the shaft 92 is in mesh with a gear i e2 secured to a shaft I04 journalled in a bore of the arm I55 of the member 5%. Said shaft I54 drives the indicating elements of the reset counter 55 mounted on a bracket I08 secured to the arm 55 of the member 94. The hub IIO of a pointer i I2 is frictionally connected with the free end of the shaft I04. Therefore, upon a rotation of the measuring roller 555, the pointer II2 may be rotated by the shaft I54 for moving along a scale I I4 indicated in dash lines in Fig. 3. On the other hand, the pointer I I2 may be adjusted in a certain position relative to the scale M4 by moving the pointer II2 relative to the shaft I04 by hand.

According to Figs. 4: and 5 the measuring roller 514 of the indicator 555i is secured to a shaft I I5 journalled in a bore arranged at one end of an arm 580. Said arm has a recess H8 at its other end for engagement with a pivot 82 arranged on the warp knitting machine. A change gear I25 is exchangeably mounted on the free end of the shaft I 55. Said change gear I20 is in mesh with a gear 5 22 secured to a shaft I24 in a bore of an arm I25. Said arm I26 is in slidable and adjustable connection with an arm I28 projecting from the arm 580 for an adjustment of the distance between the axes of the shafts H5 and I24 in accordance with the diameter of the change gear I20 selected for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The shaft I24 drives the indicating elements of the reset counter 572 mounted on a bracket I 35 secured to the arm I25. Furthermore, the hub I32 of a pointer I3i is frictionally connected with the shaft I24. Therefore, upon a rotation of the measuring roller 514, the pointer I25 may be retated by the shaft I2 3 for movement along a scale E35 shown in dash lines in Fig. 5. On the other hand, the pointer I 34 may be set in a certain position relative to the scale I36 by moving the pointer E35 by hand relative to the shaft I25.

According to the Figs. 6 and 7 a worm 55% is secured to the end of the main shaft 22 in any suitable manner. Said worm 5B5 meshes with a Worm gear 552 keyed to a shaft !38 journalled in a bore of a bracket Hi0 secured to the frame of the warp knitting machine. A bevel gear I42 keyed to the end of the shaft I38 meshes with a bevel gear I44 keyed to a shaft I46 journalled in a bearing of the bracket I40. Said shaft I46 drives the indicating elements of the reset counter 588 mounted on the bracket I 40. Furthermore, the hub I48 of a pointer I50 is frictionally connected with the free end of the shaft M5. Therefore, a rotation of the main shaft 22 causes a rotation of the pointer I50 through the medium of the shaft I45 along a scale I52 shown in dash lines in Fig. 6. On the other hand, the pointer I50 may be set in a certain position relative to the scale I52 by moving the pointer I50 by hand relative to the shaft I46.

As will be readily understood from above description, the change gear of the indicating means 552 (Figs. 2 and 3) and the change gear I20 of the indicator 554 (Figs. 4 and 5) may be selected in such a manner that for a given length of warp yarn to be supplied to the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft and for a given length of fabric to be produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft all pointers I I2, I34 and I50 of the indicating means 552 (one or more depending on the number of warp beams), of the indicator 55d and of the indicating device 550 are rotated at the same speed. In other words, as long as the warp knitting machine properly operates at the predetermined relationships, the relative position between the pointers remains the same. Preferably, prior to the start of the warp knitting machine all pointers I I2, I34 and I50 are set in such a position that they point to the value zero on their scales. Then, after the start of the warp knitting machine, all pointers will indicate the same value on the scales as long as the machine properly operates at the predetermined relationships, As soon as during the operation of the warp knitting machine the length of warp yarn consumed increases or decreases or the length of fabric produced increases or decreases, the pointer H2 or the pointer I34 will indicate a value different from the value indicated by the pointer I50 responsive to the rotation of the main shaft 22. As soon as the operator observes a difference in the positions of the pointers relative to their scales, he may adjust one or the other part of the machine during the operation thereof until all pointers indicate again the same value on their scales. Obviously, the checking means described in connection with Figs. 2 to 7 do not require a stoppage of the warp knitting machine for the performance of the checking operations.

If the reset counters 554, 512 and 558 are set at the value zero prior to the start of the machine, the same values appear in the windows of the counters as long as the machine properly operates at the predetermined relationships.

Of course, if limited checking operations are suificient, the checking means described in connection with Figs. 2 to 7 may also be used to perform only the limited checking operations mentioned above in connection with the description of the checking means shown in Fig. 1.

According to the embodiments of the checking means shown in Figs. 2 to 7 the pointer II2 of each indicating means 552 associated with a warp beam is arranged near the warp beam, the pointer I34 of the indicator 554 responsive to the movement of the fabric is arranged near the take-up device, and the pointer I50 of the indicating device 550 responsive to the rotation of the main shaft is arranged in the lower part of the machine near the bearing of the main shaft. Accordingly the indicating stations to be observed for the checking operations are arranged at parts of the machine at certain distances from each other. Although in practice the operator of the machine may readily observe said various indicating stations for the performance of a checking operation, it is more convenient to have the indicating stations combined at a single indicating station. For this purpose I arrange the indicating elements of the indicating means, of the indicator and of the indicating device next to each other at a single indicating station, which may be arranged either at the machine itself or in a control room of the factory, and, furthermore, I provide means to transfer the movements of the measuring rollers and of the main shaft to the indicating elements f said indicating station. I may use any suitable mechanical or electrical mechanism for driving the indicating elements at said single indicating station by the measuring rollers and the main shaft.

Fig. 8 illustrates, as a matter of example only, a preferred embodiment of the arrangement of a single indicating station generally indicated by I56 for indicating the lengths of warp yarns drawn from the warp beams 26 and 28, the length of fabric 42 produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions performed by the main shaft 22. The reset counters 664, 664', 612 and 658 are arranged next to each other in a box I66 closed by a removable cover I58 having windows for rendering visible the indicating elements of said reset counters. Furthermore, the adjust able pointers 6I2, 612', 634 and 656 are arranged next to each other for movement along thescales 6I4, SM, 636 and 652 by the shafts 666, 664', 624 and 646 passing through holes in the cover I66. The box I56 comprises four motors I66, I62, I63 and I66, each of said motors serves to drive one of the sets of reset counter and pointer. The motor I60, for example, drives the reset counter 664 and pointer 6I2 indicating the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam 26 through a gear transmission generally indicated by I68 in Fig. 9. Likewise the motor 562 drives the reset counter 664' and pointer 6I2 indicating the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam 28 through a similar gear transmission. The motor I64 is connected with the reset counter 612 and pointer 634 indicating the length of fabric produced through a gear transmission, and the motor I66 drives the reset counter 658 and pointer 656 indicating the number of revolutions of the main shaft 22 through another gear transmission. All gear transmissions except the gear transmission between the motor I66 and the counter 65B and pointer 656 include exchangeable change gears for adjusting the drives in such a manner that the indicating elements of the counters 664, 664', 612 and 668 and pointers BIZ, 6I2', 634 and 656 are moved at the same speed for a predetermined length of warp yarn consumed bythe knitting implements and a predetermined length of fabric produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft. According to the principles. of a well-known Selsyn-device (for example see catalog CR9890 of the General Electric Company), the motor I66 is in circuit with a motor I mounted on a swingable arm 668 and driven by a measuring roller 666 contacting the surface of the winding of warp yarn on the warp beam 26, the motor I62 is in circuit with a motor I10 mounted on a swingable arm 668 and driven by a measuring roller 666' contacting the winding of warp yarn on the warp beam 28, the motor I64 is in circuit with a motor I12 mounted on a swingable arm 68!) and driven by a measuring roller 614 contacting the fabric opposite a supporting roller 614, and the motor I66 is in circuit with a motor I14 mounted on a stationary part 626 of the machine and driven by the main shaft 22 through a worm 666 meshing with a worm gear 662. In view of the electrical connections prevailing in a Selsyn-device the rotation of the motors I66, I62, I64, I66 depends on the rotations of the motors I76, I16, I12 and I14. Therefore, upon selection of the proper change gears and upon setting of the counters and pointers at the value zeroprior to the start of the machine, the same figures must appear on all counters and all pointers must indicate the same value on the scales as long as the machine properly operates at the predetermined relationships. A deviation of the operation of the warp knitting machine from the predetermined relationship between length of warp yarn consumed, length of fabric produced and number of revolutions of the main shaft will immediately become noticeable by different indications ofv the pointers and counters during the operation of the machine, whereupon the operator may adjust or readjust the machine as the case may be to the predetermined relationship without stopping the machine. l

If desired, acoustical or optical signals may be connected with the pointers 6I2, 6I2', 634, 650, which are actuated as soon as the relative position between the pointers is changed upon a deviation of the operation of the warp knitting machine from the predetermined relationship.

According to Fig. 8 all indicating elements are arranged at an indicating station I54 remote from the elements 26, 28, 42 and 22, the movements of which are to be measured. If desired, the indicating station may be arranged at a place near to one of the elements the movements of which are to be measured, for example the indieating station maybe arranged near the main shaft 22. In such a case, for example, the pointer 66!! and the counter 658 may be driven by mechanical means as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 instead of by electrical means as shown in Fig. 8. The remaining counters and pointers, of course, must be driven by electrical means as shown in Fig. 8.

Needless to say that the checking means shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be used for limited checking operations or may be constructionally modified for such limited checking operations as outlined above in connection with the checking means shown in Fig. 1. p

In further development of my invention I hereinafter describe means for an automatic control of the operation of a knitting machine.

Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate a switch generally indicated by l'I4 which may be used either for theelectrical control of the length of warp yarn consumed by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutionsof the main shaft or for an electrical control of the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements during apredetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft. An element I16. of insulating material is mounted on a hollow shaft I18 driven by the main shaft of the warp knitting machine through a suitable mechanism. If, for example, such a mechanism for driving the hollow shaft I'f8 corresponds to the mechanism shown in Fig. 8, the. hollow shaft I18 is substituted for the shaft 646. The element I16 carries two spaced contact plates I80 and I82 electrically connected through lines I84 and I86 with slip rings I88 and I90 mounted on a cylindrical member I92 of insulating material secured to the hollow shaft I18. Brushes I94 and I96 electrically connected with a controlling motor to be described hereinafter are in slidable contact with said slip rings I88 and I90.

Furthermore, according to Figs. and 11, a shaft I98 is rotatably arranged in the hollow shaft I18. An element 200 carrying a contact member 202 is mounted on the free end of the shaft I98. Preferably, the element 200 is adjustable with respect to the shaft I98. The contact member 202 is electrically connected through the member 204 and the line 206 with one pole of an electrical source as will be described hereinafter.

If the switch I14 is to be used for the automatic control of the length of warp yarn consumed during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, the shaft I98 carrying the element 200 with the contact member 202 is driven through a suitable mechanism by a meas uring roller contacting the winding of warp yarn on a warp beam. If, for example, a mechanism corresponding to the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 is used, the shaft I98 corresponds either to the shaft 604 or 604', as the case may be, with the difference, that the shaft I98 is coaxial with the hollow shaft I18.

If the switch I14 is to be used for an automatic control of the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, the shaft I98 is driven through a suitable mechanism by a measuring roller contacting the fabric. If, for example, a mechanism corresponding to the mechanism shown in Fig. 8 is used, the shaft I98 corresponds to the shaft 624 with the difference, that the shaft I98 is coaxial with the hollow shaft I18.

For a better understanding of the following it may be repeated that the mechanism driving the hollow shaft I18 and the shaft I98 include selecting means, for example in the form of change gears, by means of which the drives may be adjusted in such a way that the hollow shaft I18 and the shaft I 98 are rotated at the same speed when a predetermined length of warp yarn or warp yarns is supplied to the knitting implements and a predetermined length of fabric is produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft. Therefore, if the contact member 202 is arranged opposite the space 208 between the two spaced contact plates I80 and I82 as shown in Fig. 10, the contact member 202 will remain in said position relative to the contact plates I80 and I82 as long as the machine operates properly at the predetermined relationship. Under these circumstances the switch I 14 remains in open condition, so that the controlling motor electrically connected with the switch I14 is not actuated. If, however, a deviation of the operation of the machine from the predetermined relationship occurs the element 200 carrying the contact member 208 will be moved either faster or slower than the element I16 carrying the two contact plates I80 and I82. Under these circumstances the contact member 202 will contact either the contact plate I82 or the contact plate I80, whereby the switch I14 is closed and causes an energization of the controlling motor connected with the switch.

Fig. 12 diagrammatically illustrates the control of an adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn to be supplied. to the knitting implements. According to this embodiment the adjustment of the length of warp yarn 30 is carried out by an adjustment of the tension rod 34 connected in a manner known per se with the adjusting means of the beam brake (not shown) acting on the warp beam 26. The tension rod 34 is carried by a plurality of arms 38 mounted on a shaft 2I0 swingably arranged in the frame of the warp knitting machine. The free end 2I2 of each arm 38 is subject to the action of a compression spring 234 arranged between said end 2I2 and a member 2I6 screwed to a threaded portion of a spindle 2I8 rotatably arranged in a bearing 220 of the machine. The member 2I6 is guided by a rod 222 secured to a stationary part of the machine and engaged with a bore 228 of said member ME. A handle 226 resting against a collar 228 arranged on the spindle 2I8 is connected with the free end of the spindle 2I8 by a screw 238. A worm gear 232 rotatably arranged on the cylindrical surface of the hub of the handle 226 may be rigidly connected with said hub of the handle 226 by clamping screws 234 or the like. The worm gear 232 is in mesh with a worm 236 secured to the shaft of a reversible controlling motor 238 electrically connected with the contact plates 18!! and 182 arranged on the element 116 of a controlling switch 114. Furthermore, the reversible controlling motor 238 is connected with one pole of an electrical source, while the other pole of said electrical source is connected with the element 108 carrying the contact member 102 of the controlling switch 11 In view of these electrical connections the reversible motor 238 will remain at a standstill as long as the contact member 102 is opposite the space between the contact plates and 182 as shown in Fig. 12; if the contact member 102 contacts the contact plate 182 on account of too great an amount of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam. the reversible motor 238 will be rotated in one direction, while, if the contact member 102 confacts the contact plate 180 in view of too little an amount of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam. the reversible motor 233 will be rotated in the opposite direction. Obviously, if the spindle 2I8 is rotated either by the handle 226 or by the reversible controlling motor 238 through the worm 233 and worm gear 232 after the connection of the latter with the handle 226, the member 2I6 is either moved downwardly or upwardly depending on the direction of the rotation of the spindle 228. A downward movement of the member 2I6 causes a displacement of the tension rod 34 in counter-clockwise direction and tightening of the beam brake associated with the tension rod resulting in an increase in the tension of the warp yarn 30, whereby the length of warp yarn 30 consumed by the knitting implements is reduced. An upward movement of the member 2I6 causes a displacement of the tension rod 34 in clockwise direction and loosening of the beam brake associated with the tension rod resulting in a decrease in the tension of the warp yarn 30, whereby the length of warp yarn 30 consumed by the knitting implements is increased.

According to the embodiment described in the foregoing paragraph, the tension rod 34 is connected with the adjusting means of the beam brake, so that an automatic adjustment of the tension rod results in an automatic adjustment of the action of the beam brake. If desired, however, the tension rod may be connected in a manner known per se with the adjustable member of a clutch arranged between the warp beam and a drive for rotating the latter, so that, if, for example, the switch TM is closed upon a reduction of the length of warp yarn fed as a result of an undesired. increase in the tension in the warp yarn, the members of the clutch are automatically engaged with each other by the controlling motor 238, whereupon the warp beam is rotated by the drive for an increased supply of warp Fig. 13 illustrates the control of the adjusting means for adjusting the length of fabric 42 to be produced by the knitting implements of the machine. The fabric 42 passes over a tension roller it and a guide roller 48 to the take-up roller 44. The tension roller it is journalled in an arm 2 59 .swingably mounted on a rod 252 car ried by the frame of the warp knitting machine 2%. The guide roller 48 is rotatably mounted at 246 on a suitable extension of the frame of the warp knitting machine. The take-up roller 44 is driven by the main shaft (not shown in Fig. 13') through a chain drive 246, an eccentric drive 2&8 driven by said chain drive 246, a feed rod 2% actuated by said eccentric drive 258, a ratchet wheel drive 252 actuated by said feed rod 256,

and gears 254, 256, 258 and 2&0 rotated by said ratchet wheel drive 252 in such a manner that the fabric 42 is advanced at a substantially constant speed. (A detailed description of a drive of this type actuatin the take-up roller 4% may be found in my co-pending patent application Serial #523,638 filed February 24, 1944., for example.) The arm 240 is loaded by an adjustable weight 262 arranged on an arm 254 pivotally connected with a link 26% hinged to the arm 240 at 268. The arm Z64 swingably mounted on a rod 21! carried by the frame of the machine is rigidly connected with an arm 212. A tension spring 214 stretched between the end of the arm 212 and the end of a rod 216 held in a predetermined position on the frame of the machine in a manner to be described hereinafter tends to counteract the weight 251 to a certain degree. Therefore, an adjustment of the spring 214 causes an adjustment of the action of the tension roller 55 on the fabric 42, whereby, in turn, the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements is adjusted. The adjustment of the spring 214 may be carried out by a movement of the rod 216 in the direction of its longitudinal axis. purpose the rod 216 is provided with a threaded end 278 in engagement with the threaded bore of a cylindrical member 289. A handle 282 is secured to the cylindrical member 280 by means of a screw 284. The cylindrical member 280 has a circular groove 2% in engagement with a pin 28B inserted in the portion 290 of the frame. Furthermore, the rod 216 has a longitudinal groove 292 in slidable engagement with a pin 294 inserted in the portion 286 of the frame. gear 298 in mesh with a worm sac secured to the shaft of a reversible controlling motor 302 is rotatably mounted on the cylindrical surface of the member 230. The worm gear 298 may be rigidly connected with the member 280 by means of clamping screws 3%. Two poles of the reversible motor 3132 are electrically connected with the contact plates 8% and 882 carried by the element 815 of a control switch 814. The third pole of the reversible motor 352 and the contact mem- For this A worm 14 her 802 carried by the element 800 of the switch .814 are connected with the poles of the electrical source not shown. Obviously, a rotation of the cylindrical member 280 either by means of the handle 282 or by the reversible motor 302 through the worm 3th) and worm gear 304 after the connection of the latter with the cylindrical member 280 by means of the screws 304 causes a displacement of the rod 216 either in right hand direction or in left hand direction as viewed in Fig. 13. If the rod 216 is moved towards the right, the load on the tension roller 46 is decreased, whereby the tension in the fabric is decreased with the result of a decrease in the length of fabric produced. If the rod Z'lB is moved towards the left, the load on the tension roller 46 is increased, whereby the tension in the fabric is increased with the result of an increase in the length of fabric produced.

The operation of controlling means for the operation of a warp knitting machine as shown in Figs. 10 to 13 is as follows:

Prior to the start of the machine the clamping screws 234 (Fig. 12) and the clamping screws 384 (Fig. 13) are loosened so that the handle 226 and the handle 282 may be freely rotated for an adjustment of the tension rod 34 and the tension roller 45. Now, an adjustment as good as possible of the tension rod 34 and tension roller it is carried out by rotating the handles 226 and 282 by hand so that, if possible, the length of warp yarn 3Q consumed and length of fabric 42 produced during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft correspond to the predetermined lengths of warp yarns and fabric required for the quality of a certain fabric. This manual adjustment may be facilitated by the use of scales indicating the degree of adjustment of the tension rod 34 and tension roller 46; such scales are not shown in Figs. 12 and 13. After the manual adjustment described above the clamping screws 234 and 384 are tightened so that the worm gears 232 and 288 are positively connected with th spindles 2!!! and 218. Furthermore, the change gears or the like in the drives causing a rotation of the switches 114 and 614 are selected in such a way, that the two elements flit, T15 nd tilt, 816 of each switch are rotated at the same speed when, on one hand, the predetermined length of warp yarn is supplied to the knitting implements during the predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, and, on the other hand, the predetermined length of fabric is produced by the knitting implements during the predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft of the knitting machine. If above described manual adjustment of the tension rod 34 and tension roller 46 by the handles 2'26 and 282 is correct, the switches TM and 8114 will remain in open condition during their rotation upon the start of the machine. If, however, the above described manual adjustment requires a certain correction with respect to the length of warp yarn consumed and/or with respect to the length of fabric produced, the switch il and/ or the switch M4 is automatically closed by a movement of its element carrying the contact member relative to its element carrying the two spaced contact plates whereby the reversible controlling motor 238 and/or the reversible controlling motor 3M is excited. Such an; energize.- tlon of a reversible controlling motor causes an automatic adjustment of the tension rod 34 and/or tension roller 4% through the worm gear connection in the manner described above. If

this adjustment should overrun the required degree, so that, for example, after the feeding of too little warp yarn too much warp yarn is fed,

the adjustment is automatically reversed, whereupon, if necessary, it may b again reversed, and so on, until the exact predetermined relationships are obtained. Now, when during the operation of the machine a deviation of the operation from the predetermined relationship occurs on account of a change in the humidity of the air in the room or on account of a change in the operation of the beam brakes or on account of any other reason, the switch "4 and/or the switch 874 will be automatically closed again, whereupon the operation of the machine is automatically readjusted to the predetermined relationship, by repeated adjustments of diminishing degree in opposite sense, if necessary. Of course, if the warp knitting machine has two warp beams the controlling means shown in Fig. are arranged in duplicate, one for each warp beam. On the other hand, the controlling means shown in Figs. 10 to 13 may be modified for limited controlling operations by omissions or changes in the arrangement, so that for example the operation of a knitting machine may be controlled only for the maintenance of a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn and the number of revolutions of the main shaft or for the relationship between the lengths of warp yarn drawn from several warp beams, etc.

If desired, indicating means in the shape of counters and/or pointers as shown in Figs. 2 to 9 may be combined with the controlling means shown in Figs. 10 to 13.

As shown in Fig. 14, the tension rod 3 of a warp knitting machine extending throughout the width of the machine is usually carried by a plurality of arms, according to Fig. 14 the machine has three arms 38, 38, 38" for example. Each of said arms is mounted on the shaft 2H1 swingably arranged in the frame of the machine, and each of said arms is under the action of a compression spring 2M, 2M, 2M, which may be adjusted by an upward or downward movement of a member 2l6, 2H3, 2H5". If each of said arms 38, 38', 38 carrying the rod 34 is controlled by a mechanism shown in Fig. 12, a number of reversible motors 238 equal to the number of arms carrying the tension rod 34 must be arranged, and each of said motors must be properly connected with the controlling switch 7H for a simultaneous operation of all motors in case of an automatic adjustment.

Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate an arrangement by means of which the plurality of arms 38, 38, 38" ca rying the tension rod (not shown in Figs. 15 and 16) may be adjusted by a single reversible controlling motor 238 or by a single handle 226. The worm gear 232 in mesh with the worm 235 keyed to the shaft of the reversible controlling motor 238 may be connected with the handle 226 by means of clamping screws 234 in the same manner as described above in connection with Fig. 1.2. The handle 223 is connected with an adjusting element or adjusting rod 3% by means of a screw 3&8. Said adjusting rod 3% extending over the width of the warp knitting machine is journalled in bearings 3H3, 3H9, 3th" of a plurality of supporting members 3l2, 3l2, 3E2". Said supporting members 3l2 are carried by two supporting rods 3M and 3E3 which in turn are mounted on extensions 3H8 of the frame of the knitting machine. The adjusting rod 393 carries a plurality of worms 32B, 320, 320" equal to the number of arms 38, 38', 38". In the embodiment shown in Fig. 15 there are three arms 38, 38, 38", however, the machine may have more than three arms, if necessary. Each of said worms 329, 3253, 326" is in mesh with a worm gear 322, 322 keyed to a spindle 2l8, 2l8, 2l8 arranged for an adjustment of the compression spring or actuating means 2M, 2M, 254 by the member 255, 2E6, ZIG guided by a rod 222, 222, 25:2" secured to the supporting member 3E2, 3|2', 3%". The ends of each of the spindles 2l8, 2l8, 2|8, ar rotatably mounted in bearings 223, 226, 229" mounted on the frame of the machine and in bearings 324, 32%, 324 arranged on the supporting member 3E2, 3l2, 3H2". As will be readily understood a rotation of the adjusting rod 3&6 either by the handle 223 or by the reversible motor 233 causes a simultaneous adjustment of the springs 2%, EM, 2M" acting on the arms 33, 38, 38" carrying the tension rod. It has been found that the described simultaneous adjustment of the plurality of arms carrying the tension rod of a warp knitting machine by means of a single adjusting element or adjusting rod 306 is also of advantage for warp knitting machines which are not equipped with an automatic control as described above. In such a case the motor 238, the worm 233 and the worm gear 232 are omitted and the adjusting rod 366 carries only the handle 223 for a manual adjustment.

According to the embodiment of the controlling means shown in Figs. 12 and 15 the automatic adjustment of the length of warp yarn to be supplied to the knitting implements is carried out by an adjustment of the tension rod. My invention, however, is not limited to an automatic control of the tension rod. Any other adjusting means having an influence on the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam or warp beams may be automatically controlled by my controlling arrangement. According to Fig. 17, for example, an adjustable beam brake generally indicated by 326 is automatically controlled by a reversible controlling motor 2330 electrically connected with the switch 114 in the same manner as the motor 238 shown in Figs. 12 and 15. The beam brake 326 comprises a brake drum 328 connected in a suitable manner with the warp beam 25. One end of a brake band 335) engaged with a circular groove on the surface of the brake drum 328 is connected with a hook 332 or the like secured to an extension 334 of the frame of the warp knitting machine, while the other end of the brake band 330 is engaged with one end of a tension spring 336. The other end of said tension spring 336 is engaged with the hook-like end 338 of a rod 340 having a threaded portion 342. Said rod 340 may be displaced in the direction of its longitudinal axis either by a handle 344! or by the reversible motor 238i in the same manner as the rod 216 described in connection with Fig. 13. Therefore, a detailed description of said adjusting means for the rod 340 seems to be unnecessary. Prior to the start of the machine the beam brake 326 is adjusted by means of the handle 344 causing a displacement of the rod 3% acting on the spring 336 and brake band 333. During the operation of the machine an automatic adjustment of the beam brak 32B is obtained by means of the motor 233!) in the same way as the motor 238 causes an adjustment of the tension rod 34 in the manner described above in connection with Fig. 12.

In the embodiments shown in the drawings the means for checking and/or controlling the operation of a machine are applied to a warp knitting machine. It may be mentioned, however, that the means for checking and/or controlling the operation of a machine according to my invention may also be applied to other textile machines, for example to other types of knitting machines, wherein the movement of yarn or yarns and/or fabric relative to each other and/or relative to the rotation of the main shaft should be maintained at a substantially constant relationship.

I have described preferred embodiments of my invention, but it is clear that numerous changes and omissions may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention. For example, any other mechanical or electrical means for measuring the lengths of warp yarn and/or fabric may be used instead of the measuring rollers shown in the drawings. Furthermore, the two switches H4 and 814 may be combined to a single switch arrangement responsive to the movement of the warp yarn or warp yarns and the fabric relative to the rotation of the main shaft.

What I claim is:

1. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rtatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing a fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, an indicating device including indicating elements for indicating the revolutions of the main shaft, said indicating device including a drive responsive to a rotation of said main shaft, indicating means including indicating elements for indicating the length of warp yarn supplied by said Warp beam to said knitting implements, said indicating means including a drive responsive to a movement of said warp yarn, the indicating elements of said indicating device and of said indicating means being arranged next to each other at an indicating station, and means associated with the drives of said indicating device and of said indicating means for moving the indicating elements of said indicating station.

2. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing a fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an indicating device including indicating elements for indicating the revolutions of the main shaft, said indicating device including a drive responsive to a rotation of said main shaft, an indicator including indicating elements for indicating the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements, said indicator including a drive responsive to a movement of said fabric, the indicating elements of said indicating device and of said indicator being arranged next to each other at an indicating station, and means associated with the drives of said indicator for moving the indicating elements at said indicating station.

3. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing a fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an indicating device including indicating elements for indicating the revolution of the main shaft, said indicating device including a drive responsive to a rotation of said main shaft, indicating means including indicating elements for indicating the length of warp yarn supplied by said warp beam to said knitting implements, said indicating means including a drive responsive to, a movement of said warp yarn, an indicator including indicating elements for indicating the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements, said indicator including a drive responsive to a movement of said fabric, the indicating elements of said indicating device and of said indicating means and of said indicator being arranged next to each other at an indicating station, and means associated with the drives of said indicating device and of said indicating means and of said indicator for moving the indicating elements at said indicating station.

4. A knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing a fabric, atake-up dc:- vice driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an indicating device responsive to'a rotation of said main shaft for indicating the num ber of revolutions thereof, and an indicator responsive to a movement of said fabric for indicating the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, said indicating device including indicating elements and a drive for moving same, said indicator including indi eating elements and a drive for moving same, and

at least one of said drives being adjustable in such a manner that the indicating elements of the indicating device are moved at substantially the same speed as the indicating elements of the indicator when a predetermined length of fabric is produced by the knitting implements during a plredetermined number of revolutions of the main 5 aft. 5. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing a fabric with warp yarn drawn from said Warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an indicating device responsive to a rotation of said main shaft for indicating the number of revolu-' tions thereof, indicating means responsive to a movement of said warp yarn for indicating the length of Warp yarn supplied to the knitting implements, and an indicator responsive to a movement of said fabric for indicating the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements of the machine, said indicating device including indicating elements and a drive for moving same, said indicating means including indicating elements and a drive for moving same, said indicator including indicating elements and a drive for moving same, and at least two of said drives being adjustable in such a manner that the indicating elements of said indicating means and of said indicator are moved at substantially the same speed as the indicating elements of the indicating device when a predeterminedlength of yarp yarn is supplied to the knitting implement and a predetermined length of fabric is produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft.

6. In combination with a knitting machine as claimed in claim 2i at least one of said drives being adjustable in such a manner that the indicating elements of the indicating device are moved at substantially the same speed as the indicating elements of the indicator when a predetermined length of fabric is produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft.

7. In combination with a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 3, at least two of said drives being adjustable in such a manner that the indicating elements of said indicating means and of said indicator are moved at substantially the same speed as the indicating elements of the indicating device when a predetermined length of warp yarn is supplied to the knitting implements and a predetermined length of fabric is produced by the knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft.

8. A knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements at a predetermined relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and indicating means arranged for indicating a deviation from the set relationship.

9. A Warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knit.. ting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with Warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam at a predetermined relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements at a predetermined relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and indicating means arranged for indicating a deviation from the set relationship between the length of either one of said materials and the number of revolutions of the main shaft.

10. A knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main'shaft, knitting implements driven by said :main shaft for producing fabric, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjusting means for actuating same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to said predetermined relationship.

11. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by th knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjusting means and said adjusting device for actuating at least one of same upon a dc.- viation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to said predetermined relationship,

12. In combination with a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 11, said automatic controlling means being responsive to the rotation of the main shaft and to the movements of the warp yarn and of the fabric.

13. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said Warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of Warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, a first movable controlling member, a first drive actuated by the movement of the warp yarn for moving said first controlling member, a second drive actuated by the movement of the fabric for moving said second controlling member, a third movable controlling member, a third drive actuated by the rotation of the main shaft for moving said third controlling member, said drives of said three controlling members being capable of bein set for moving the controlling members in a predetermined relation to each other for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and controlling means responsive to a deviation of the relation between the controlling members from said predetermined relation in dependence on a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship, said controlling means being associated with said adjusting means and said adjusting device for actuating at least one of same upon such a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to said predetermined relationship.

14. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, a first movable controlling member, a first drive actuated by the movement of the Warp yarn for moving said first controlling member, a second movable controlling member, a second drive actuated by the movement of the fabric for moving said second controlling member, a third movable controlling member, a third drive actuated by the rotation of the main shaft for moving said third controlling member, said drives of said three controlling members being capable of being set for moving the controlling members at the same speed for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolution of the main shaft, and controlling means responsive to a deviation of the speed of at least one of said controlling members from the speed of the other controlling members in dependence on a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship, said controlling means being associated with said adjusting means and said adjusting device for actuating at least one of same upon such a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to said predetermined relationship.

15. In combination with a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 13, at least two of said drives including change gears for adjusting a predetermined relation of the movement of the controlling members to each other for a selected predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn and the length of fabric and the number of revolutions of the main haft.

16. A knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an adjusting device associated with said take-up device for adjustin the tensioning action thereof on the fabric so as to adjust the length of fabric produced by the knittin implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an electromotor coupled with said adjusting device for actuating same upon an energization thereof, and automatic electrical controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic electrical controlling means being in circuit with said electromotor and being responsive to a deviation of the operation of the knitting machine from said predetermined relationship for energizing said electromotor upon such a deviation for an actuation of said adjusting device so as ,to automatically adjust the knitting machine to said predetermined relationship,

17. A warp knitting machine comprising: a ro- ,tatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, an adjusting means associated with said warp beam for adjusting the tensioning action thereof on the warp yarn so as to adjust the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an electromotor coupled with said adjusting means for actuating same upon an energization thereof, and automatic electrical controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the Warp beam and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic electrical controlling means being in circuit with said electromotor and being responsive to a deviation of the operation of the knitting machine from said predetermined relationship for energizing said electromotor upon such a deviation for an actuation of said adjusting means so as to automatically adjust the knitting machine to said predetermined relationship.

18. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knittin implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, a first electromotor coupled with said adjusting means for actuating same upon an energization thereof, a second electromotor coupled with said adjusting device for actuating same upon an energization thereof, and automatic electrical controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic electrical controlling means being in circuit with said two electromotor-s for energizing at least one of same for an actuation of at least one of said adjusting mean and adjusting device upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to said predetermined relationship.

19. In combination with a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 18, said automatic electrical controlling means being responsive to the rotation of the main shaft and to the movements of the warp yarn and of the fabric.

20. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, a first reversible electromotor coupled with said adjusting means for actuating same upon an energization thereof, a second reversible electromotor coupled with said adjusting device for actuating same upon an energization thereof, a first switch in circuit With said first reversible electromotor, a second switch in circuit with said second reversible electromotor, said first switch including a first movable element carrying a contact member and a second movable element carrying two spaced contact plates, said second switch including a third movable element carrying a contact member and a fourth movable element carrying two spaced contact plates, a first drive actuated by the movement of the warp yarn for moving said first movable element, a second drive actuated by the movement of the fabric for moving said third movable element and a third drive actuated by the rotation of the main shaft for moving said second element and said fourth element, said drives being capable of being set for moving said four elements at the same speed and holding the contact members of the two switches in open position opposite the spaces between the spaced contact plates for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutionsof the main shaft, each of said switches being closed by engagement of its contact member with one of its contact plates upon a deviation of the speed of its element carrying the contact member from the speed of its element carrying the contact plates in dependence on a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship, and each of said switches energizing the electromotor in circuit upon a closing of the switch due to such a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to said predetermined relationship.

21. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for takin up said fabric, at least one adjustable tension rod in engagement with the warp yarn for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and automatic controlling mean capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the number of revolutions of themain shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjustable tension rod and being responsive to a deviation of the operation of the knitting machine from said predetermined relation ship for actuating said adjustable tension rod upon such a deviation so as to automatically adjust the knitting machine to said predetermined relationship.

22. A knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, said take-up device including adjustable tensionin means acting on said fabric for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and

automatic controlling mean capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjustable tensioning means and being responsive to a deviation of the operation of the knitting machine from said predetermined relationship for actuating said adjustable tensioning means upon such a deviation so as to automatically adjust the knitting machine to said predetermined relationship.

23. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rtatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, said takeup device including adjustable tensioning means acting on said fabric for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, at least one adjustable tension rod in engagement with the warp yarn for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjustable tension rod and said adjustable tensioning means and being responsive to a deviation of the operation of the knitting machine from said predetermined relationship for actuating at least one of said adjustable tension rod and tensioning means upon such a deviation so as to automatically adjust the knitting machine to said predetermined relationship.

24. A warp knitting machine comprising: a r0- tatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, 2. take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one adjustable tension rod in engagement with the warp yarn for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjustable tension rod and said adjusting device for actuating at least one of same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to such predetermined relationship.

25. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one tension rod, a plurality of adjustable arms holding said tension rod in engagement with the Warp yarn, said adjustable arms being arranged for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn over said tension rod from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, a plurality of automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said plurality of automatic controlling means being associated with said plurality of adjustable arms for actuating same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship between length of warp yarn and number of revolutions of the main shaft, and an automatic controlling device capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling device being associated with said adjusting device for actuating same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship between length of fabric and number of revolutions of the main shaft, whereby the operation of the machine is automatically adjusted to said predetermined relationship.

26. A warp knitting machine comprising: a

rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device driven by said main shaft for taking up said fabric, at least one tension rod, a plurality of adjustable arms holding said tension rod in engagement with the warp yarn, said adjustable arms being arranged for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn over said tension rod from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an adjusting element coupled with said plurality of adjustable arms for a simultaneous adjustment thereof, an adjusting device for adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knittin implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, an automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warpbeam and the number of revolutions of the shaft, said automatic controlling means main being associated with said adjusting element coupled with said plurality of adjustable arms for actuating same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship between length of warp yarn and number of revolutions orthe main shaft, and an automatic controlling device capable of being set for a predeterminedrelationship between the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the' main shaft, said automatic controlling device being associated with said adjusting device for actuating same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship between length of fabric and number of revolutions of the main shaft, whereby the operation of the machine is automatically adjusted to said predetermined relationships.

27. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, a take-up device for taking up said fabric, adjustable driving means actuated by said main shaft and associated with said takeup device for driving same, said adjustable driving means being capable of adjusting the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, at least one adjusting means for adjusting the length of warp yarn drawn from said warp beam in relationship to the number of revolutions of the main shaft, and automatic controlling means capable of being set for a predetermined relationship between the length of warp yarn drawn from the warp beam and the length of fabric produced by the knitting implements and the number of revolutions of the main shaft, said automatic controlling means being associated with said adjusting means and said adjustable driving means for actuating at least one of same upon a deviation of the operation of the machine from said predetermined relationship so as to automatically adjust the machine to such predetermined relationship.

28. In combination with a warp knitting machine as claimed in claim 11, indicating means associated with said controlling means for indicating a deviation of the operation of the machine from the predetermined relationship.

29. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarn drawn from said warp beam, at least one tension rod, a plu-' rality of movable arms carrying said tension rod, a plurality of adjustable actuating means, each of said adjustable actuating means cooperating with one of said movable arms so as to hold said tension rod carried by said movable arms in engagement with the warp yarns for tensioning same, and an adjusting drive, said adjusting drive extending over the width of the warp knitting machine and being associated with said plurality of actuating means for a simultaneous adjustment thereof.

30. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam,

' knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with Warp yarns drawn from said warp beam, at least one tension rod, a plurality of movable arms carrying said tension rod, a plurality of adjustable actuating means, each of said adjustable actuating means cooperating with one of said movable arms so as to hold said tension rod carried by said movable arms in engagement with the warp yarns for tensioning same, and a rotatable adjusting rod extending over the width of the warp knitting machine,

said adjusting rod being coupled with said plurality of actuating'mean's for a simultaneous adjustment thereof.

31. A warp knitting machine comprising:- a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarns drawn from said warp beam, at least one tension rod, a plurality of movable arms carrying said tension rod, a plurality of adjustable members, a plurality of adjusting means, each of said adjusting means being connected with one of said adjustable members, a plurality of springs, each of said springs being arranged between one of said adjustable members and one of said movable arms so as to urge said tension rod carried by said arms against the warp yarns for tensioning same, and an adjusting element associated with said plurality of adjusting means for a simultaneous v adjustment thereof.

32. A warp knitting machine comprising: a rotatable main shaft, at least one warp beam, knitting implements driven by said main shaft for producing fabric with warp yarns drawn from said warp beam, at least one tension rod, a plurality of movable arms carrying said tension rod, a plurality of adjustable members, a plurality of adjusting means, each of said adjusting means being connected with one of said adjustable members, a plurality of springs, each of aid springs being arranged between one of said adjustable members and one of said movable arms so as to urge said tension rod carried by said arms against the warp yarns for tensioning same, and a rotatable adjusting rod extending over the width of the warp knitting machine, said adjusting rod being coupled with said plurality of adjusting means for a simultaneous adjustment thereof.

33. A method for checking the operation of a warp knitting machine equipped with a main shaft, at least one warp beam, and a take-up device for taking up the fabric knitted by the knitting implement of the machine, comprising the steps of associating an indicating device with said main shaft for a numerical indication of its number of revolutions, associating an indicating means with said warp beam for a numerical indication of the length of the warp yarn supplied to the knitting implements, associating an indicator with the take-up device for a numerical indication of the length of the fabric taken up by said take-up device, comparing the numerical indications of said indicating device said indicating means and said indicator, and adjusting the tensioning action of the warp beam on the warp yarn and the tensioning action of the takeup device on the fabric to an extent that the numerical indications on aid indicating device said indicating means and said indicator are at a predetermined relationship relative to each other.

34. A method for checking the operation of a knitting machine equipped with a main shaft and a take-up device for taking up the fabric knitted by the knitting implements of the machine, comprising the steps of associating an indicating device with said main shaft for a numerical indication of its number of revolutions, associating an indicator with the take-up device for a numerica1 indication of the length of fabric taken up by said take-up device, said indicating device and said indicator being designed for indicating identical numerical indications when a predetermined length of fabric is knitted during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, comparing the numerical indications of said indicating device and said indicator, and adjusting the tensiomng action of the take-up device to an extent that the numerical indications on the indicating device and indicator are identical.

35. In combination with a method a claimed in claim 33 the steps of associating an indicating device an indicating means and an indicator which indicate identical numerical indications when a predetermined length of Warp yarn is supplied by the Warp beam to the knitting implements of the machine and a predetermined length of fabric is knitted by said knitting implements during a predetermined number of revolutions of the main shaft, and adjusting the tensioning action of the warp beam and the tensioning action of the take-up device to an extent that the numerical indications on the indicating device the indicating means and the indicator are identical.

FRITZ LAMBACH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,030,425 Beniston et a1 Feb. 11, 1936 2,298,888 Kaufmann Oct. 13, 1942 2,326,768 Eddy Aug. 17, 1943 2,326,769 Eddy Aug. 17, 1943 381,617 Durkin Apr. 24, 1888 743,722 Holcroft Nov. 10, 1903 743,723 Holcroft Nov. 10, 1903 1,532,668 Baker Apr. '7, 1925 1,779,999 Bitzer Oct. 28, 1930 2,327,747 Sirmay Aug. 24, 1943 2,383,562 Plunkett et a1 Aug. 28, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 700,060 Germany Dec. 12, 1940 

